6 independent reviews for Borneo family tour
Reviews for Borneo family tour
Melissa Marfleet-Collins review 24 Apr 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Everything! Individual highlights - staying with the host family, the wildlife, a range of experiences such as river safaris, historical monuments. Amazing family time together.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you prepare for the bugs, they aren't an issue, e.g. strong mosquito repellent, a scarf to wrap around your head, football socks. We stopped in Singapore for 5 days before the last flight to Borneo, and would absolutely recommend as an introduction to the climate and culture - there is lots to do that doesn't cost money, and there are cheap hotels if you look for them.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The local people and economy depend on tourism, so in that sense, we contributed. However, we weren't environmentally friendly (all the air travel, bottled water etc).4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
An unbelievable adventure, which the whole family enjoyed and benefitted from. Would whole-heartedly recommend.Delia Mackechnie review 20 Aug 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
For me it was seeing a herd of wild elephants in Kinabatangan; two adults and a calf even swam across the river in front of us. My daughter's favourite was the sun bear sanctuary - it made such an impression she wants to return as a volunteer when she's old enough. My son enjoyed the elephants and the rafting and my husband was fascinated by Gomantong Cave and the orang utan rehabilitation center.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
I was glad that we booked an extra couple of days to acclimatise to the time zone and temperature before the tour started - we really needed it. We also added a rafting trip, snorkelling and the Coral Flyer zip wire - I'd recommend all of these, particularly if you're looking for more physical activities to balance the wildlife watching. Swimsuits are fine in hotel pools, but for areas where locals are swimming (river/hot springs/sea) we wore a pair of lycra shorts and a quick dry t shirt over the top. This felt less conspicuous and was also good sun protection. Take high deet insect repellant (50 or 100%) - it's very effective and not easy to find when you're there. A loose, long sleeved shirt is a good cover up if someone gets too much sun, and also protects against bites.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The village homestay was a great experience and clearly benefitted the local people.... and us! It was a great opportunity for us and our children to see that there are more similarities than differences between families around the world. Supporting the sun bear and orang utan centers was was worthwhile. Most hotels supplied drinking water in single use plastic bottles, but the river lodge avoided this by putting refillable glass bottles in the rooms - it would be good if more hotels were encouraged to do this.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We will be talking about this vacation for years to come. Everyone had their own favourite moments, and the mix of adventure, wildlife and culture was great.Alex Base review 6 May 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Bit tricky to say as every day/activity was different but so exciting and rewarding in its own way. Caves were amazing, landing at Mulu was amazing. Orang-utans obviously amazing, fire flies amazing as it was a clear night. Turtle beach amazing. All that super amazing stuff made Sabah Tea gardens feel a bit dated and boring. Felt rather lost in time.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just be super aware that the accommodation throughout will be super basic, a little uncared for and maybe not what you are expecting if you've paid £1500 per person. Lots of insect relevant and just focus on the experience for that day. So much to take in. Don't worry about getting wet. No one got attacked by leaches.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Its a tricky balance. I think the homestay was a good way to benefit local people, but as our guide said they then westernise their homes, so is that good? I think the lodges and guides had a strong respect for the environment and the fact that its amenity and the experience people got from it was what made the vacation/travel for people. Not sure that it reduced env impacts.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was amazing, but I would expect that for the money and place. Would recommend 100%. Would try and explain more what people will experience beforehand. The fire fly bit felt last minute, but it was amazing. Some people may be disappointed with the accommodation at the homestay and Mulu. Reviews said turtle island was really bad accommodation, but it was fine. More time in Sepilock rather than Sabah as most come to see Orangutans. But this is hard as you want people to also have their own experience.Read the operator's response here:
Traveling in Borneo is wonderfully rewarding but it is absolutely fair to say that accommodation is quite expensive for what you get. Elsewhere in South East Asia you can get a very comfortable hotel with air conditioning and a swimming pool for very little money.
However, Borneo is different; our preferred accommodation is quite remote which is of course the attraction as you are in amongst the wildlife and the animals, but it is also expensive, despite the fact that rooms are simple and both the hot water and electricity are patchy. This is in part because tourism is not that developed in Borneo so there aren't a wide
range of lodges to choose from and they can each therefore charge pretty much what they like; but it is also because in many cases all supplies have to be shipped in from far away. In Mulu for example, there is no road access so all supplies have to be brought in either by plane or on a two day boat journey.
These comments are therefore completely fair! You do pay quite a lot to go to Borneo, and although the experience is worth every penny, the accommodation
at night is often simple. There are upgrades available (and particularly on the beach there are in fact some super-luxurious resorts) but these are very expensive so it does depend on budget.
However, perhaps we need to make it clearer to travelers exactly what to expect so we will take this on board for future inquiries.
Martha Rutherford review 25 Apr 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
So many! My children's faces, beautiful Pagodas, peaceful paddy fields, food markets, cookery courses, amazing food, wonderful people, museums, tunnels and boats. A vacation with something for everybody.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Go for it. It was a great family adventure that we all loved.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. All our guides were local, we stayed as much as possible in small family run hotels and ate in small local restaurants.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
BrilliantNikki Shack review 7 Aug 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The homestay in a village in Kinabalu National Park Facilitated by a fantastically knowledgeable guide. We had the opportunity to stay in a small village with stunning views of Mount Kinabalu. We were able to stay with a family who had four generations under one roof, the youngest being one week and the oldest 93 years and to experience a very different way of life, eat locally produced food and with excellent interpretation learn about our hosts lifestyles and all enjoy the company of our hosts. We were greeted by many of the villagers who added to our incredible time, the kids played together, language was not an issue. We walked in the jungle in the rain, swim in the river, attempt to catch fish and picnic with our hosts and the villagers beside the river. Did I mention my son cooking with the host family and we were shown how to collect rubber and forage for fritz and vegetables as well as fish with a net and bare hands. Memories for us all to treasure. We got invited back for Christmas! Seeing the orangutans in the wild near the sanctuary made us appreciate the success of the work. The stay at river kinabantan was incredible so could equally be my favourite. We had excellent guides really knowledgable, helpful and flexible. I don't think we could have seen or learnt so much without them2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for the unexpected! River trecking in the river rather than besides. Amazing fun. Be ready to question your own views and values. Be prepared to get wet you will soon be dry again. Perhaps get your rainmacs etc in Borneo and rubber shoes rather than walking boots. Be ready to try a variety of food and particularly some unusual fruits! Have plenty of strong sun cream and insect repellant. Have a waterproof camera. Be ready for seeing and absorbing. Don't be put off by having a guide, we thought we would feel less intrepid but we learnt and laughed so much3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely when thinking of the turtle preservation. Especially after being offered cooked turtle eggs in a roadside restaurant. Local people- I understand the villagers as a whole get some support when offering homestays. Bilit was wonderful seek so many birds, crocs, elephants, monkeys, lizards etc. I think having the area as a tourist attraction may protect the area against further deforestation as the local people gain financially by providing a center for tourism. I think we consumed much in diesel, especially flying from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan- from the air the scars from logging and Palm plantation were very clear and wouldn't be by road.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic, I would make minor changes to the programme. We had a great time each of us getting something different from the experience.Sarah Madeley review 27 Oct 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Staying with a local family - our daughters got so much out of it. We have just written to them all and hope to stay in touch2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be more organised with your suitcases - you can leave things at KK but we were kept forgetting things to take in the trips3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It didn't really cross our minds once there, but in reflection we did use local people / companies4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic! We constantly remember different things and look at the photosHoliday Reviews
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